towerofanimus | [CLOSED] Crescendo of Corruption

Entry tags:

[CLOSED] Crescendo of Corruption

Characters:

rememberscarlet,

rewindingly,

seekinganswers,

crouching_sin and Allen Walker (er, well...)
Setting: Floor 13--the Cathedral
Format: Action spamey. "Allen" is certainly not in a talkative mood, to say the least.
Summary: After mentally wrestling with an unknown being that has sought full control of his body since he was a little boy, Allen has finally given away too much ground for it and must be put down....but it certainly won't be without a fight. Stronger magics are also, for some reason, unusable (for now).
Warnings: Blood. Most likely light swearing. Descriptions of gore. Much sadness as well. Did I mention it was bloody?

--Floor 13, The Cathedral--

[The message was sent. If anyone were on their way, this would be it. This was it.]

[In his heart of hearts, it was like finally letting go after falling into the Arctic Ocean. It was dark. And it was cold. Nothing was everywhere but for the first time in his life, he learned to just let go...]

[As former visitors have seen, the interior of the cathedral made it very hard to hear. Perhaps it was the dry air, the wide openness of the place, or even the dark magics that perspirate from every corner of the tower. There was a teensy thing that could be heard, however--the playing of a large pipe organ. A sad, yet powerful and epic melody that could only be heard softly, as if it were being lightly whispered into one's ear. Yet even a casual glance would reveal nobody is playing the instrument at all, as the keys descended and ascended seemingly of their own accord.]

[A few more steps in reveal a gorey scene unlike nothing ever before--no bodies, no parts, only enough blood to fill several gallon buckets. There's been streaks before, to be sure, but this topped them all. Still fresh pools sat on the pews and on the floor, barely touching the carpet (although perhaps it is utterly soaked as it is red in color itself).

[Finally, the blood smearing the statue of the deity seemed to form a message. Not just a message, but a very creepy, dark parody of a smiley face was also drawn in blood on it...

One could not help but feel the dread creeping up their spine and into their skull.]

Note: It is recommended you subscribe to this thread. Fixed it so this post is cut now.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The past few days had been strange enough, but the message - that was something else entirely. And it was definitely suspicious. Try as she might, she couldn't bring herself to just ignore it.

It was probably the fact that it had mentioned a specific floor. That, and the way it had ended... she shuddered, and as she cleared the last few steps to the Cathedral's entrance her grip on her staff tightened. She had a bad feeling about this... whatever was in there, she probably wouldn't like it. But how bad could it be, really? She took a deep breath to steady herself and stepped inside.

Almost immediately, she reeled back and let go of her staff with one hand to bring that hand up to cover her nose. The smell of blood was almost overpowering. It took her a moment or two, but she managed to steady herself and continue moving in. Her eyes slid over the pews, the stained-glass windows, the organ which was playing even though no one was there, and then finally the statue at the front...

She shuddered. Something terrible had happened here, or maybe something terrible had only just begun. She brought her hand away from her face and readjusted her grip on her staff, casting suspicious glances about the room.]

Who's there?! I know someone has to be!

[Something like this didn't just happen of its own accord. Unfortunately for Sheba, her voice wouldn't travel far. The look of slight annoyance on her face showed she was aware of that.

Right. She'd just have to stay alert, that was all...]

[The first audience member had arrived. What a fantastic show this could be...!

Up above is only darkness. The rafters were poorly lit by the dim light of the colored windows. But the statue of the deity remained illuminated enough to see the entire thing was desecrated, and its head had been removed.]

[A large, wooden beam fell to the floor, causing next to no sound. Well, it would've, except the organ playing was just too much.]

[And that ever so present feeling of being watched...]

[Another enters the room, cautiously treading into the area. The blood made his eyes widen, but he keeps walking. He takes note of the girl, but pays her no real mind, continuing on. He's cautious - watching his step - but he doesn't care if this kills him. Information is worth this price, especially here when he loses nothing by dying.]

[Movement out of the corner of her eye made Sheba turn, and she raised an eyebrow when she saw the new arrival step into the cathedral. But he didn't seem to be paying much attention to her, and the unnerving sensation of being watched was still there. Chances were, this guy was someone who had seen that strange message and come to investigate...

She exhaled slowly, letting out a breath she hadn't been aware she was holding. She started to turn her attention back to the statue at the front of the cathedral, to get a better look at it, but then paused.

Had that... beam been on the floor before? No, she was sure it wasn't. But she hadn't heard it fall over the sound of the organ's playing.

...the organ? It was pretty strange that it was playing on its own...

Keeping half an eye on the other guy, just in case he was up to something, she started to creep towards the organ to get a better look at it.]

[The second audience member has arrived! Oh, this was just getting so exciting!.....thinks a certain something.]

[Closer inspection reveals that there is in fact no invisible person playing the pipe organ, either. And getting closer, the music seems to play even louder and has changed completely in tone. From the sadness of the mind to a more upbeat, almost wedding-like melody. Faster paced and adding even more staccato than before, it continues to play itself.]

[Unlike the rest of the place, also, the pipe organ and everything around it is spot-free of blood.]

[Naoya chuckles as the tempo switches. Whoever's doing this has some skill, but...]

Ah, no more spooky music? A shame. The Toccata and Fugue in D Minor was going to be my next request. You don't do parties, do you?

[He looks over his shoulder at Sheba, smirking, as he nears the organ.]

Why don't you show yourself, oh mysterious musician?

...

[Who was this guy? For a moment Sheba considered trying to read his mind, but she dismissed it. Naoya seemed enough at ease here that he'd obvious experienced his fair share of strange things - and people like that were usually powerful. She didn't want to make things worse if he happened to be one of the people who could sense when his mind was being invaded.]

Somehow, I'm not sure taunting it is the best idea...

[Funny, considering she'd called out saying that she "knew someone was there" just minutes before.

The fact that the organ and its surrounding area were free of blood bothered her, though she couldn't quite put her finger on why.]

It must be nearby, right? Unless it's hiding out there in the blood, somewhere. [Or by that statue. It sort of creeped her out, but maybe she should get a closer look at that thing, too.]

[The statue's message reads:

"Please welcome to my recital. I do hope you enjoy it, because I wrote it especially for you." It is accompanied by another, horrid smiley face consisting of only two splotches for eyes and a single, thick, bloody line for a smile. Several drips from the message foretell that this message was made not long ago, as it has already begun to dry.]

[The closer to the statue one became, however, the music began to switch to an all-too-familiar tone to someone who has experience with the musical genre of Earth--low, quick notes that used to foretell a different kind of demon...]

I doubt it's in the blood, unless they can turn themselves into liquid.

[Which isn't out of the question, he supposes... though it's unlikely.]

[The sudden switch in tempo as she approaches the statue makes him extremely suspicious. Cautiously, he turns away from the organ and walks towards the statue, reaching out towards it. He has no desire to touch it, but perhaps he can get a reaction from this.]

I knew someone once who could turn himself into sand... it can't be that much more difficult to turn into liquid.

[That said, if there are people around here who can use that sort of power, chances are they're also the kind of people who have much more dangerous powers at their disposal as well.

She narrowed her eyes and crept a little closer as he reached out for the statue, and she shifted her staff in her hands. If getting closer to the statue and the message caused something else to happen, she wanted to be prepared for it.]

[The chords on the pipe organ remain at the quick, darker notes.]

[Now it was time for the crescendo.]

[A young man with darker skin falls down in the center of the Cathedral main hall, landing perfectly low to a crouch before standing again. No sound could be heard--a curse of the Cathedral--but little sound would've been made, anyway. The body was used to being silent and perfectly balanced, after all.]

[Watching the two members of his audience was just too much as they were unaware of him. Of course, he could hardly be heard. Well, not for long. A mere thought, and...

The pipe organ suddenly burst forth into an ominous, dark building of sound, loudest it had ever been or perhaps could be. And suddenly, it was silenced. Before again, merely a second later, the crescendo would blare out as loud as it could, several of the keys darkening as they lowered themselves of their own accord.]

[The sudden movement makes him jerk his head to the side, and he casts a Shield All spell on himself and the girl. It should hold against a physical attack, if only the once.]

So you're here. Why don't you stop this game and just say what it is you want?

[This should be interesting. He doesn't know this person or care about them, but anyone who went through these kinds of theatrics should be at least giving a bit of time to in order to listen.]

..!

[She turned her head towards the movement as Naoya does, and while her first impulse is to cast Spark Plasma and blast that thing, feeling a spell being cast on her stopped her in her tracks. She glanced at Naoya briefly. He must have done that - the spell didn't seem threatening.

The young man in front of them did, especially with the organ accompaniment. The sudden, much louder noise made her flinch, but she kept her eyes on the man that had dropped down into the center of the hall.

She began to call upon her Psynergy, preparing a spell, the beginnings of which caused a slight sparking at her fingertips. She wouldn't cast it just yet, but this way she'd be able to act at a moment's notice.

Whether or not she would have to remained to be seen, and hinged upon this man's response to Naoya's question.]

[He just smiles back at them while coursing a hand through his hair--a pristine white glove, at that.]

[The opposite of the rest of his arms, which are still dripping wet with blood.]

[No implications as to what happened to the bodies of the monsters...if that is what they even were. Two golden eyes merely looked back at them, almost an eye for either of them. With a hand pointed at the organ like a conductor, he places his other hand on one of the pews and closes his eyes...]

[...before launching the thing at them--no, more like at the statue!]

Heh! Two can play at this kind of game.

[He dodges away, getting clear in case of any debris, and gathers a ball of energy in his hands. It crackles and stinks of ozone, and he flings it at the white-haired boy.]

[Should it hit, the explosion of energy should be quite impressive.]

[Sheba dodged to the other side, raising her staff and releasing the pent-up Psynergy she'd been preparing. Whether the bolts hit the strange boy or not, Spark Plasma was generally a pretty impressive sight to see, and Sheba had plenty of experience casting it on the fly.]

Are you looking for a fight?!

[That was probably a stupid question. The boy was covered in blood, for goodness' sake.]

[Not the magic it was ready for, but...oh well!]

[The explosive noise was hard to be cancelled out by the thickness of the Cathedral's curse, but boy did it spark. The hole in the wall made by the dark one's body almost caved through the entire section.

Unknown which one actually hit, though. He brushed himself off, the sparks still flinging off of him dissipate in a strange way. There lies not the faintest hint of expression to him. His movements seem very human, despite the very not-human expression he was giving.]

[He points, suddenly, at the statue--which became to crumble immensely before falling to the ground busting under the weight of its own creation, dusting the entire area.]

[Seeing through the dust, however, one could see the young man has disappeared.]

......

Come out come out wherever you are, little mouse.

[He's taking a risk, yes. But there's no way to gather this thing's intentions without violence it seems. Ah, well. Naoya walks through the dust towards the rubble around the statue. At least the dust cloud should provide him with some cover.]

If you'd deign to speak, perhaps we could see if we can resolve whatever it is that's troubling you. If you stay silent, however... well. I'll have to assume the worst and kill you.

...

[She couldn't, in good conscience, leave Naoya to face this thing alone, even if he did seem capable. And she couldn't help but wonder what was going on here, and how it had managed to get so powerful...

Sheba followed a step behind Naoya, calling upon her Psynergy again and casting it out in all directions. This time it wasn't an attack - she was scanning the minds of anyone within range. Naoya might feel a bit of a twinge at his consciousness, but it wasn't his mind she was focusing on reading. If she could just hear a few of the thoughts of the person that had attacked them, maybe she could figure out where he was now that he'd vanished...]

[As he (casually, yet superhumanly) through the dust cloud, the faintest images of the message Allen had left just before he sequestered the true young man deep within his heart:

"Stay away" was the basic message. And yet he--that is, the 14th--knew some would come, anyway. They tended to do that.]

[Much like what they were doing now, going in pairs. Smart thing, really. But it was rather silly to think that he was using the dust and gravel of the statue to escape.]

[Very instant he was right behind young Sheba, hand merely a second and a half from grasping at her neck, that's when it came flooding in--a simple phrase, actually:]

"Good Morning."

Edited 2013-01-21 03:44 (UTC)

..!

[It came too late - a second and a half wasn't quite enough time for Sheba to put enough distance between herself and the strange young man, and the next thing she knew she found herself with his hand around her neck.]

Look out - he's fast!

[She didn't think he'd be able to get Naoya by the neck too, but with what he'd managed to do already, it was better to be safe than sorry. Heart pounding, she tried to shift her head a little so she could look at Allen - or whoever was currently in charge of his body - out of the corner of her eye.]

Who are you..?!

[Naoya just stared at the creature calmly - because whatever this was... well. He clearly wasn't human. He didn't look concerned at Sheba's predicament in the slightest.]

If you want to kill her, fine. I don't care. If your only goal is to cause mayhem, however... mm. You may wish to rethink that. There's too many here who would put you down for it.

No, that can't be your aim. So why don't you speak?

[The smile seemed almost genuine, like seeing a long lost friend for the first time in a decade. The vice of his hands says otherwise, however.]

.....urgk!

[Small trickle of blood began to pour from the sides of his mouth like someone turned on a faucet. And for a moment, his eyes dilated as he stared more towards the ground, yet the vice of his hands never lost their grip (if anything, they tightened a little). What could be heard from his mind said:]

...why?....

[In a quick motion, he threw Sheba onto the man Naoya and then straight kicked her in the stomach, forcing them both back two dozen feet, almost breaking the pew they landed in.]

[The force of it seemed to hurt Allen's body more than anything as he doubled over in pain, holding its stomach.]

Urk--!

[It had been hard enough to breathe with his hands around her neck; being thrown and then being kicked knocked the wind out of her entirely. Once she could, she shifted away from Naoya and rolled onto the ground in front of the pew.

She stayed still for a moment or two, fighting to catch her breath, but then struggled to her feet. She'd had worse. At least it had been a kick and not something much worse, she told herself.

As she stood, her eyes locked on Allen's body as it doubled over. Good, said a small voice in the back of her head. A spark at her fingertips betrayed that she was preparing another Spark Plasma spell to unleash if he got back up and seemed to be threatening.

Naoya could take care of himself, she was sure.]

[Naoya grunted as he was hit, and hissed as the pew broke under them. He was no great warrior, no bastion of physical vitality, but he scrambled to his feet and dusted himself off a bit.]

[He eyed the doubled-over form, charging another Megidolaon. Better to have it in reserve than be caught off guard.]

Temper, temper. Were you never taught better manners? I suppose I'll have to beat them into you.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject